He winces, still clutching his ribs. “Nah, I’m good.”
“Just take it,” I urge. “I’m warm enough, and you look cold.”
Dax stands and gingerly pulls on the leather jacket. He lowers, but instead of sitting on the rock, he moves to the ground, closer to the ravine. I watch him lie back and gaze up at the stars.
“This is the way to do it,” he says.
I smile and lower to the ground next to him. I tug the blanket loose, whipping part of it across his body too. When my arm releases the blanket, Dax catches my wrist, inspecting my bracelet.
“And what about this?” Dax asks, running a finger over my bracelet. “Does it have a story?”
I smile at the dainty chain. “I own so much jewelry, but I wear this piece every day. It feels like I’m missing something whenever I don't wear it.”
Dax touches his pendant. “I get that.”
“It’s basically a security blanket at this point. Whenever I’m nervous or intimidated, I flick my thumb against it, and something deep inside says everything will be okay.” I giggle and shrug. “Eventually, that is.”
“Well, I’m glad I got it back to you then.”
“Me too.”
Dax lets my wrist slip away and returns to the starry scene above. I follow his lead, looking up at the wondrous display. Pieces of what he’s told me replay in my mind. I have no idea why he opened up like that. All I know for sure is I want to know more about him.
I turn my head and admire his rugged side profile. A girl like me should never have met a guy like him. My heart flutters with dangerous excitement. What must my friends be thinking? I left the table and never returned. And what if it gets back to my parents? They’ll want to know who I left with.
I turn my head back to the sky above, and a gleeful grin stretches across my face.
Eight
“Ineverdothis,”I whisper, gazing at the stars.
“What?” he whispers back. “Disappear on a motorcycle with a total stranger?”
I mumble a laugh. “Well, yes, that.” I gesture at the sky. “I just meant this. I never take the time just to appreciate nature. I always have to be doing something. Although, I guess I slowed down a bit in Switzerland.”
“Why did you tell me all that stuff?”
I fidget with the blanket, fighting my nerves. “What stuff?”
Dax grunts and shifts in place. “About your family.”
“You just pushed my buttons in a way no one else does. Conversations with my friends always circle around the same superficial stuff. I dunno. It’s just different with you.” I look out into the ravine and sigh. “Before leaving for Switzerland, I had this perfectly curated life. I lived up to all the expectations and had the good girl image down to a T.”
Dax snorts. “Do you think you’re some kind of bad girl? Sweetheart, I’ve got news for you…”
“Don’t call me that.” I cut him off with a groan. “I’ve just done some really stupid things since I first suspected my mom was cheating. And that was beforewe went overseas. All I wanted to do was hurt her, but I ended up hurting everyone else.”
Dax turns his head, looking at me for the first time in what feels like forever. “But you don’t hurt her because you feel some kind of loyalty, right?”
I nod solemnly. “Yeah. But my illusions were shattered, and now every single thing in my life feels completely fake. I just don’t want to do this anymore. I’m sick of predicting what everyone around me will say and do.” My chest constricts as I exhale shallowly. “Does it ever feel like that with your family? That, no matter the situation, they have high expectations of you?”
Dax grimaces, turning away.
I sit up, looking down at his sour disposition. “Why did you tell me stuff about your family?”
Dax sits, pulling the blanket as he drags himself further forward. I stare at his back, emblazoned with the scorpion logo.
“You’re the only one who’s ever given a damn enough to ask.”
